Distribution. Alpine areas of Olympic Peninsula, Washington State, USA.
Olympic marmots are endemic to Olympic National Park and surrounding national forest areas. They are active about four and a half months each year. Typically two or three adult females and their young live with a single breeding male. Adult females are reported to breed in alternate years. Litter sizes average about four, and about half the pups survive their first year. Young take at least 3 years to mature and disperse. Like their close relative, the hoary marmot, Olympic marmots produce four types of alarm calls. They have calls that end at a higher frequency than they start--ascending calls, calls that end at a lower frequency than they start--descending calls, flat calls, and trills. You may also read a more detailed summary of olympic marmot alarm calling. Olympic marmots are incredibly easy to observe on and around Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.